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alisonorr: withdrawing from Citalopram


alisonorr

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Hi everyone

I stumbled across this forum after following some links on withdrawal. I've been struggling to get off Citalopram for over 3 years. I have ME (often called CFS in the US) which seems to aggravate withdrawal symptoms. I've often had to go back to my previous dose due to horrible "head zaps". I started on 20mg in March 2010 (the worst health related decision I ever made!) and I'm currently on only 2.5 mg. I've tried reducing this a few times but had to return to 2.5 mg due to withdrawal symptoms. I'm curious to learn from this forum how to get below 2.5 mg, as I'm already quartering the 10 mg tablets! I'm going to be reading up on the idea of trying to dissolve them, though I've also read that they don't dissolve too well. Anyway, I'm here for support and information and so happy to have found you!

Alison

PS I'm in Scotland!

March 2010 - 20mg Citalopram

Many attempts to reduce dosage since 2011, most resulting in "head zaps".

September 2014 - now on 2.5mg Citalopram

I also have ME which heightens withdrawal symptoms.

Age 58.

My introduction is at:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7034-alisonorr-withdrawing-from-citalopram/

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  • Administrator

Hi Alisonorr

 

Welcome to our community.  Congratulations at getting down to 2.5 mg Citalopram.  We recommend that you finish the rest of your taper by reducing no more than 10% of your previous dose.  The link below will give you some ideas on how you can accomplish that.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2023-tips-for-tapering-off-celexa-citalopram/page__pid__19887#entry19887

 

If a 10% reduction still results in head zaps, then try to go at a 5% reduction.  Hold your reduction for at least 4 weeks to ensure that your system has stabilized.

 

Thank you for adding your drug history to your signature, that is very helpful.

 

You will find lots of support here.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor


I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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Thanks Karma, I'll check the link you posted.

March 2010 - 20mg Citalopram

Many attempts to reduce dosage since 2011, most resulting in "head zaps".

September 2014 - now on 2.5mg Citalopram

I also have ME which heightens withdrawal symptoms.

Age 58.

My introduction is at:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7034-alisonorr-withdrawing-from-citalopram/

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Alison, welcome from me too. Citalopram is available in liquid

here in the UK and is quite cheap so your doctor probably won't mind

prescribing it for you. I have a friend tapering with liquid and it is

much easier than tablets.

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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Thanks mammaP, I'll try that, I've got a pipettes that measures 0.5 mls! :-)

March 2010 - 20mg Citalopram

Many attempts to reduce dosage since 2011, most resulting in "head zaps".

September 2014 - now on 2.5mg Citalopram

I also have ME which heightens withdrawal symptoms.

Age 58.

My introduction is at:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7034-alisonorr-withdrawing-from-citalopram/

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